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GARDNER -- Republican State Party officials traveled to Gardner Thursday as part of a tour to promote the party's solutions to local problems in cities where voters lean Democrat.

Kirsten Hughes, chairwoman of the Massachusetts Republican Party, said they wanted to get out the message that the GOP can increase local aid to municipalities and cut red tape that is holding back people from starting small, local businesses.

"I know that Republicans have the answers for places like Gardner that are in desperate need for economic redevelopment," said Hughes, who is also a city councilor in Quincy.

To make that happen, she urged votes for Charlie Baker and Karyn Polito, the Republican candidates for governor and lieutenant governor.

Hughes was joined by Polito and several local candidates, including Garret Shetrawski, who is running for the second Worcester District, which includes Gardner, and Rich Bastien, who is running a state Senate campaign for the Worcester and Middlesex districts.

Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke, who is a Republican, took them on a walking tour of the downtown area. That ended at the Gardner Ale House, but none of them stayed for lunch or a drink before departing.

Hughes said local aid has fallen under Gov. Deval Patrick, who took office in January 2007 just before the recession hit and budgets were reduced, and towns and cities have had to struggle to pay for services.

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"Eight years of one-party rule has done nothing to help them," said Hughes. She said a labyrinth of licensing requirements and red tape has made it difficult for small businesses to get started. She said the GOP can streamline that process and bring jobs and economic redevelopment to places like Gardner, as well as provide good schools.

Polito also stressed breaking down the barriers that prevent small businesses from entering the market, saying there are too many taxes, regulations and permitting obstacles that burden businesses. She said local aid, such as Chapter 90 money that pay for road projects, needs to be increased.

"Strong leadership is what's going to bring this state back," said Shetrawski. His state representative campaign is focusing on economic recovery, veteran benefits and increasing funding for mental health services.

Bastien held that state representative seat before he was defeated by Jon Zlotnik in 2012. After incumbent state Sen. Jen Flanagan, D-Leominster, was forced to run as a write-in candidate for re-election because of a mistake in the paperwork for her candidate signatures, Bastien jumped in the race as a write-in candidate as well

Bastien said legislation lead to four employees having their hours cut and their health insurance taken away.

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